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_askthebookbug's Reviews (1.34k)
You know the feeling when you dive into a novel thinking it's going to be amazing because everybody loves it and then keep waiting for that miracle to happen where even you end up saying 'ah, what a beautiful book indeed!' but it never does. Yet you wait till the very end, hoping against hope to see what is it that everyone loved so much about it and then this worry sneaks into your mind 'I don't want to be the only one who doesn't like this book'. Well, that's exactly what happened with me. Sorrow and Bliss is 10/10 a sad girl novel. And sadly this is the only thing I'll remember about this book years later.
I think the protagonist was created to be disliked and it does feel easy to some extent to not sympathise with her. But then you read about her mental health issues and you feel conflicted. And it was Martha's voice that didn't work for me. A major chunk of the book fell flat, barely urging me to pick up the book and finish it. I trudged along with it for almost two weeks (something that I never do) and when I did finish reading it, I felt relief. Relief that it was finally over.
I think the best part was how Meg chose to keep the illness unnamed, leaving the readers' minds churning with thoughts. I found it respectful and also very considerate. There were two emotions that were swirling within me constantly; anger and sadness. There was almost zero bliss that the story offered.
I'm not saying this is a bad novel. It has certainly worked for many but to me it was a huge miss. Will I read more by Meg? The answer is a definite yes. I just hope it just isn't as sad as this one.
P.S. My review falls in the unpopular category so I'd urge you not to rely on my opinion to decide whether you'd want to read it or not. I think deep within we all crave for a sad girl book now and then. Maybe this one's for you.3.5 stars
I think the protagonist was created to be disliked and it does feel easy to some extent to not sympathise with her. But then you read about her mental health issues and you feel conflicted. And it was Martha's voice that didn't work for me. A major chunk of the book fell flat, barely urging me to pick up the book and finish it. I trudged along with it for almost two weeks (something that I never do) and when I did finish reading it, I felt relief. Relief that it was finally over.
I think the best part was how Meg chose to keep the illness unnamed, leaving the readers' minds churning with thoughts. I found it respectful and also very considerate. There were two emotions that were swirling within me constantly; anger and sadness. There was almost zero bliss that the story offered.
I'm not saying this is a bad novel. It has certainly worked for many but to me it was a huge miss. Will I read more by Meg? The answer is a definite yes. I just hope it just isn't as sad as this one.
P.S. My review falls in the unpopular category so I'd urge you not to rely on my opinion to decide whether you'd want to read it or not. I think deep within we all crave for a sad girl book now and then. Maybe this one's for you.3.5 stars
{ Book Recommendation }
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"What song could Pablo Escobar possibly sing in the shower". - Ingrid Rojas Contreras.
~
Few books tug at your heart and it's mostly because the story often belongs to the authors' themselves. Fruit of a drunken tree is a brilliant story written based on the author's personal experience. While I knew how difficult it must have been for refugees and people who struggled during the refugee crisis and also during the era of Pablo Escobar, this book educated me by painting a not so pretty picture about the reality.
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This story is about a young girl called Chula Santiago who strikes a unique friendship with her house maid Petrona who is just 13 years old. Petrona lives in the invasions without a proper house and is plagued by poverty. Chula is the main protagonist who sees things through eyes of innocence and always gives others the benefit of doubt. Her friendship with Petrona turns out to be more dangerous than she could have imagined but that doesn't stop her from staying away.
~
It's hard to sum up this story because every chapter has something to say about Columbia and it's culture. The story is heart-wrenching and often stirs up emotions for Chula. This book is important because it shows how people were forced to kidnap children of the rich and demand for a ransom to curb their poverty. It shows how the drug lord shook people with fear and killed Galan in public. It shows how people suffered when their children went out for a job and came back becoming Guerrillas.
~
It's educative, stimulating and everything that we need to know about the unfortunate and brave ones who had to survive through all this. They had to leave their homes and move to a new country where they were stamped with a lable of refugees. I would recommend this book to those who are interested in learning about all the tragedy and richness that Columbia reflects.
~
A solid 5 star rating.
~
"What song could Pablo Escobar possibly sing in the shower". - Ingrid Rojas Contreras.
~
Few books tug at your heart and it's mostly because the story often belongs to the authors' themselves. Fruit of a drunken tree is a brilliant story written based on the author's personal experience. While I knew how difficult it must have been for refugees and people who struggled during the refugee crisis and also during the era of Pablo Escobar, this book educated me by painting a not so pretty picture about the reality.
~
This story is about a young girl called Chula Santiago who strikes a unique friendship with her house maid Petrona who is just 13 years old. Petrona lives in the invasions without a proper house and is plagued by poverty. Chula is the main protagonist who sees things through eyes of innocence and always gives others the benefit of doubt. Her friendship with Petrona turns out to be more dangerous than she could have imagined but that doesn't stop her from staying away.
~
It's hard to sum up this story because every chapter has something to say about Columbia and it's culture. The story is heart-wrenching and often stirs up emotions for Chula. This book is important because it shows how people were forced to kidnap children of the rich and demand for a ransom to curb their poverty. It shows how the drug lord shook people with fear and killed Galan in public. It shows how people suffered when their children went out for a job and came back becoming Guerrillas.
~
It's educative, stimulating and everything that we need to know about the unfortunate and brave ones who had to survive through all this. They had to leave their homes and move to a new country where they were stamped with a lable of refugees. I would recommend this book to those who are interested in learning about all the tragedy and richness that Columbia reflects.
~
A solid 5 star rating.
Read till the very end only to realise that I wasted four days reading it
• r e v i e w •
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Lucy Foley's debut novel The Hunting Party attracted stellar reviews and when her second book came out a year later, it was a bigger hit. Having read both the books, it was immediately clear that I liked The Guest List more. Both the novels have quite a few similarities be it regarding the setting of the story or the narration through multiple POVs but what sets them apart is the evident improvement in Lucy's writing style. The Guest List is undoubtedly a gripping and spooky read, causing goosebumps and several hair-raising instances. I definitely recommend this.
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The celebrity couple Jules and Will choose a remote island off the West Coast Ireland for their wedding. The event, although intimate would leave no stone unturned in oozing elegance and money. Aoife and her husband Freddy who are the wedding planners are the only two people who live on the island apart from the guests. The occasion brings in a mixed group of people which includes a Will's ex-public school friends and Jules's stepsister and parents. Jules who has always strived for perfection couldn't be happier to have Will as her husband. But an anonymous note warning her against Will sits in the pit of her stomach like a heavy rock. Olivia, the stepsister is clearly depressed and has a dark past hovering over her head. Hannah, the wife of Jules's best friend Charlie, has her eyes open for everything that goes on around her all the while carrying her own grief. Aoife too is haunted by her past.
.
When the storm kicks in on the wedding night, things go out of hand. Panic sets in and a body is found. Secrets are revealed and skeletons come out of the closet. Nothing and no one seem innocent anymore. The Guest List is a book of lies, betrayal, love, grief and hurt; a perfect concoction for a brilliant novel. The book was extremely fast paced with short chapters, making me sit at the edge of my seat. Although, one may guess couple of outcomes, it definitely doesn't lessen the impact of revelation. With messy and troubled characters, Lucy nails this story. The thrill of having read a good murder mystery is truly indescribable.
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Rating : 4.8/5.
.
Lucy Foley's debut novel The Hunting Party attracted stellar reviews and when her second book came out a year later, it was a bigger hit. Having read both the books, it was immediately clear that I liked The Guest List more. Both the novels have quite a few similarities be it regarding the setting of the story or the narration through multiple POVs but what sets them apart is the evident improvement in Lucy's writing style. The Guest List is undoubtedly a gripping and spooky read, causing goosebumps and several hair-raising instances. I definitely recommend this.
.
The celebrity couple Jules and Will choose a remote island off the West Coast Ireland for their wedding. The event, although intimate would leave no stone unturned in oozing elegance and money. Aoife and her husband Freddy who are the wedding planners are the only two people who live on the island apart from the guests. The occasion brings in a mixed group of people which includes a Will's ex-public school friends and Jules's stepsister and parents. Jules who has always strived for perfection couldn't be happier to have Will as her husband. But an anonymous note warning her against Will sits in the pit of her stomach like a heavy rock. Olivia, the stepsister is clearly depressed and has a dark past hovering over her head. Hannah, the wife of Jules's best friend Charlie, has her eyes open for everything that goes on around her all the while carrying her own grief. Aoife too is haunted by her past.
.
When the storm kicks in on the wedding night, things go out of hand. Panic sets in and a body is found. Secrets are revealed and skeletons come out of the closet. Nothing and no one seem innocent anymore. The Guest List is a book of lies, betrayal, love, grief and hurt; a perfect concoction for a brilliant novel. The book was extremely fast paced with short chapters, making me sit at the edge of my seat. Although, one may guess couple of outcomes, it definitely doesn't lessen the impact of revelation. With messy and troubled characters, Lucy nails this story. The thrill of having read a good murder mystery is truly indescribable.
.
Rating : 4.8/5.
What a massive disappointment.
There are some books which holds on tight to the aspect of suspense until the very end, making you think hard to crack the truth but The Housemaid isn’t one of those books. In fact, I could guess the twist from a mile away (just twenty pages into the book). Now, there are books I’ve read and liked where even though you guess the culprit, you still appreciate the atmosphere of the story but again, The Housemaid isn’t one such book. I personally feel that this was written to be read In a day or two, and not having to use one’s brain so much. And sadly, I fall into the category of readers who crave for a good dose of mystery. This is why The Housemaid didn’t work for me.
The writing is fairly good but the very core of the story is cliched; you know where a housemaid works for a rich couple and although they seem nice on the surface, something is terribly wrong. Unfortunately, this trope has already been used a couple of times in other books so there really had to be a USP for this book but I couldn’t find any. When I finished reading it, I couldn’t believe it had garnered a good 4.36 ratings on goodreads but later probably felt that it was written for those who just want a fast paced novel where you finish the book before you realise.
If you’re a hardcore mystery or thriller lover, I certainly wouldn’t recommend this book to you but if you’re a beginner and are looking to get started in this genre, then this may work for you.
I’ll leave it upto you to decide.
There are some books which holds on tight to the aspect of suspense until the very end, making you think hard to crack the truth but The Housemaid isn’t one of those books. In fact, I could guess the twist from a mile away (just twenty pages into the book). Now, there are books I’ve read and liked where even though you guess the culprit, you still appreciate the atmosphere of the story but again, The Housemaid isn’t one such book. I personally feel that this was written to be read In a day or two, and not having to use one’s brain so much. And sadly, I fall into the category of readers who crave for a good dose of mystery. This is why The Housemaid didn’t work for me.
The writing is fairly good but the very core of the story is cliched; you know where a housemaid works for a rich couple and although they seem nice on the surface, something is terribly wrong. Unfortunately, this trope has already been used a couple of times in other books so there really had to be a USP for this book but I couldn’t find any. When I finished reading it, I couldn’t believe it had garnered a good 4.36 ratings on goodreads but later probably felt that it was written for those who just want a fast paced novel where you finish the book before you realise.
If you’re a hardcore mystery or thriller lover, I certainly wouldn’t recommend this book to you but if you’re a beginner and are looking to get started in this genre, then this may work for you.
I’ll leave it upto you to decide.
